back with bill karins with the latest on superstorm sandy. you're watching msnbc. >>> welcome back to msnbc's continuing coverage of superstorm sandy. i'm chris jansing. here is the latest. the death toll is climbing. at least 16 people are now confirmed dead as a result of hurricane sandy. flooding and damage are extensive. 7.1 million homes and businesses are without power up and down the eastern seaboard. now, keep in mind that one home is considered a customer, so you can easily add millions more to the number of people who are without power. 170 firefighters here in new york are battling a four-alarm fire in breezy point, queens. more than 50 homes have been destroyed. and new york city subway system remains shut down after extensive flooding. on the phone now aaron donovan, a spokesman for the metropolitan transit authority. good morning. >> good morning. >> what's the latest you can tell us on the situation and how widespread it seems to be? >> well, the new york city system, subway system is shut down. this is a level of devastation t